Software architecture refers to the high-level structure of a software system, which includes the organization of components, modules, and their relationships, as well as the principles and guidelines for designing and building the system. It defines the overall design and structure of the software system and guides the implementation process.
Software design, on the other hand, refers to the detailed design of the individual components and modules that make up the software system. It involves defining the structure and behavior of each component, specifying the interfaces between components, and designing algorithms and data structures.
Software architecture focuses on the big picture and provides an abstract view of the system, while software design delves deeper into the details and provides a more concrete and detailed view of the system.
The software architecture defines the major components of the system, their responsibilities and interactions, and the overall organization of the system. It also addresses important quality attributes such as performance, scalability, flexibility, and maintainability.
The software design, on the other hand, focuses on the detailed design of individual components and modules. It includes specifying the data structures, algorithms, and interfaces for each component, and designing the internal logic and behavior of each component.
The software architecture is typically the result of high-level decisions made at the beginning of the software development process, while the software design is an iterative process that occurs throughout the development cycle.
In summary, software architecture provides the overall structure and design of a software system, while software design focuses on the detailed design of individual components. Both are essential for building well-designed and maintainable software systems.